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I use have used a manifold, but usually use independents, so I have used both. I had no trouble reaching the valves. This is techdiver, so I am talking open water, solo diving here not caves. My point is this: manifolds have high task loading DURING an emergency. You simply HAVE to isolate that tank AND close the reg THEN open the isolation valve, or else you risk losing all your gas. Like it or not, all your gas CAN be lost with only one failure, no matter how good you are. If you are using helium, you have to be even faster as it rockets out. With independents, your dive plan dictates that the loss of all gas in either cylinder will still leave you the gas you need, and there is NO TASK LOADING in changing a reg. EVEN CAVE DIVERS WITH MANIFOLDS HAVE TO UNCLIP THERE LONG HOSE IN AN EMERGENCY WHEN USING A STAGE. Remember we are talking open water, you can come up shallow straight away in any case. Even 20-30cf should be a huge amount of gas just to get to deco. Personally I have no problem using a manifold, as I don't mind the added risk. I can also see the distinct advantages of a manifold in a disiplined three man cave diving team using stages, but this is open water solo here. troppo
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